Western Welsh at 90...Open Day at Barry 08/09/2019

On a gloriously sunny day, Mrs M and I visited the Bus Depot at Barry, to celebrate the 90th Birthday of the Western Welsh Omnibus Co Ltd organised by the Cardiff Transport Preservation Group.
We started at the old Western Welsh Depot at Barry, where there was a fascinating display of old vehicles, and then we were taken by one of the buses down to the Docks at Barry, to have a rare opportunity to see around the Storage Unit which housed around forty vehicles.
A Big Thank you to all the staff and Volunteers, who made our visit such a pleasant one.

[@jamesjosephjjdyer3368]

Thank you kindly Bob for filming that WW 90 Birthday of Western Welsh Omnibus Ltd event and as I could not make it I have myself have been there a few times and they all do an a fantastic job on all those buses that they do have to care and look after. James Joseph JJ Dyer

[@robmasterman]

My pleasure James, it was a wonderful day, especially seeing the inside of the Storage Shed within the Docks....Bob

[@NorbertRoll]

A really wonderful video report with many beautiful old omnibuses. Excellent.

[@robmasterman]

Thanks very much, many of the vehicles are in full working order, whereas some have much work to be done to get them back to working condition.

[@howarth004]

Well done on 90th anniversary of western world , good to see these old Beauties being restored and kept in pristine condition , only seems like yesterday these were running on our roads ....

[@robmasterman]

There were some stunning vehicles there today Dave, a few I've travelled on many years ago.

[@acw71000]

Tremendous selection of vehicles they have in the storage unit Bob. Nice to see the wonderful collection of Western Welsh vehicles

[@robmasterman]

Haven't been there for Donkey's years Austin, I was invited to cover this special event for them, and was delighted to do so. I wasn't aware how many vehicles are in the collection, and we had a wonderful day there.

[@rogervanpraet7965]

Love the glimpse of the brown and cream Cardiff double deckers. Used to regularly catch 50 from Fairwater to Newport Road as a 7/8/9 years old staying with my Nan in the late sixties. She was registered blind and regularly used to go to the RNIB day centre in Newport Road!

[@robmasterman]

It's wonderful the memories these images can evoke, of Happy days from our past Roger...Thanks for sharing yours.

[@musicman920]

My late Uncle worked for Western Welsh at the Barry Depot for 37 years, so watching this video brings back many memories of my childhood and teenage years.....

[@robmasterman]

How wonderful Richard, thank you for watching.

[@musicman920]

@@robmasterman Thank you Robert for your coment....Our family lived in Harrow in Middlesex but my parents were Welsh, my Father was from Bary so most Summers in the 60's we would have our holidays in Barry, so traveling from my Grandparents house in Gladstone Road on route 304 for a day at Barry Island was always a joy..I think those journeys started my life long love of buses and coaches in general and Western Welsh/ Thomas Motors in particular..My Uncle would not travel on Thomas's buses as he could not use his Westen Welsh free staff pass lol .Oh happy days.....

[@EMuksteam]

Brilliant video Bob. The buses and coaches are brilliantly looked after. A fantastic collection. A great event. Well filmed. Best wishes C&A

[@robmasterman]

Thanks both, it's a large collection, and we both enjoyed it very much...Best wishes...Bob

[@nigelcarter9503]

Great, I saw an N&C coach, I remember them well. Days have gone by, Rob. An RVDC bus, what a gem of a place. I am getting too old, I can recall halve the companies.

[@robmasterman]

Thanks Nigel, they've got an outstanding collection there, and the memories certainly come flooding back when you see them all. I remember No 36 of the Caerphilly fleet when I travelled on it to School in the early sixties...Bob

[@2010ditta]

What an amazing collection they have..and apart from a few all in perfect condition. Very nice Bob..thank you.

[@robmasterman]

Thanks Tim, it's a large collection they have there, and despite a few still in the process of being restored, many are in full working order.

[@stuartwarr4831]

Hi Bob, I could not make the event yesterday, so watching this excellent film was the next best thing, many thanks for making the trip.

[@robmasterman]

That's very kind of you Stuart, and I'm delighted that you've enjoyed my work.

[@AndreiTupolev]

Goodness, they have loads don't they. Several from Bristol as well as south Wales. Some very good paint jobs on those ones that have just been repainted.

[@robmasterman]

I know, it came as a surprise to me as well, I knew of those inside the old Depot, but not the 30+ down at the Docks.

[@antman09ful1]

Brilliant video Bob, very enjoyable video for me as I love old buses. Regards Mike.

[@robmasterman]

Thanks Mike, your kind comments are greatly appreciated...Regards...Bob

[@MervynPartin]

What a magnificent collection, Bob. That stirred a few memories of my youth- going to Barry on the Western Welsh, a trip to Bridgend and Tondu on the N&C Express, and many journeys on the Cardiff Buses. It was great seeing all those former liveries again which had much more character than the corporate colours of Stagecoach and First. Full marks to the Preservation Group for their fine work and thank you for sharing...Regards, Mervyn

[@robmasterman]

Thanks as always Mervyn, I didn't know that they had so many vehicles at Barry, and the variety is quite outstanding...Best wishes...Bob

[@TheWesternExplorer]

Excellent coverage Bob. An amazing collection they have there. Regards, Dave.

[@robmasterman]

Thanks Dave, it was much larger than I expected.

[@locomotive6727]

Hi Bob, great buses and coaches , most in very good condition, Well filmed ..Dave

[@robmasterman]

It was something different Dave, but very enjoyable to see such beautifully restored vehicles....Bob

[@locomotive6727]

@@robmasterman Hi Bob, Yes a great collection ,Thanks for reply ...Dave

[@chris-io1ki]

Great video Bob. I grew up in Cardiff in the 70s and 80s and used to be a keen bus and rail enthusiast in the Cardiff area. So it's very pleasing to see many of the Cardiff buses preserved here. I was saddened that none of Cardiff's Leyland Nationals were saved as I was a City Circle fan because of them buses. I moved to Liverpool in 1989 and miraculously 5 ex Cardiff Nationals followed me to continue service with CMT Buses here. The last one was withdrawn in 1999,so an impressive 25 years in service! Of heritage status here,it is most worthy of note seeing the Cardiff Guy Arab. I absolutely loved them when I was a kid. Sadly,none of the Alexander ones were saved. I believe all the engines went into boats for China. Fantastic collection at Barry. Thanks so much for posting this mate Btw,my username chris217. 217 was JBO347N...my favourite Cardiff bus.... a Leyland National hehe🤗

[@robmasterman]

Hello Chris, they have a wonderful collection of vehicles based in Barry, and looked after by the Cardiff Transport Preservation Group, and they are doing a superb job. Thanks for relating your interest in Buses, even after moving away from South Wales...Regards...Bob

[@saltleywsc]

Great video Rob what memories of the rhondda d/decker trips to pony to visit my Nan !

[@robmasterman]

They certainly bring back memories to us all Merv, thanks again for your support.

[@SYKAROST]

What an extensive and varied collection nicely captured Bob, if they all came back into service tomorrow there would be a shortage of drivers as they take a bit of handling lol. Regards, Brian.

[@robmasterman]

Indeed Brian, when men were men and power assisted steering hadn't been invented...Regards...Bob

[@SYKAROST]

Bob, I started my PCV life with such crudity but soon adapted to new tech..... A bit like 'steam to diesel' lol. Brian.

[@DOCTORDROTT]

very nice video Bob

[@robmasterman]

Thanks James, glad you've liked it.

[@vincentneale2620]

Evan`s coaches garage was about 100 yards from my house - they started in the 1920`s in New Tredegar buy Mr Tom Evans of Jones Street Phillipstown

[@robmasterman]

How wonderful Vincent, thanks very much for sharing this information.

[@GranvilleMorgan-z3m]

When buses were buses and not ice cream vans 👍👍👍

[@robmasterman]

Like so many forms of transport, they were built to last. Thanks for your comment.